*[[Act for School Libraries!]] Information on how to contact members of congress and thank them for their help.

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*[http://www.actforlibraries.org/ Act for Libraries]

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*[http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/LegAdvocacyGuide.pdf Legislative Advocacy Guide] (.pdf) A comprehensive guide on how to advocate with your elected officials.

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*[http://www.ala.org/additup Add It Up: Libraries Make the Difference]

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*[http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/toolkit Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit] Tips and tools to help library supporters make the case for libraries in tough economic times (from ALA).

*[http://www.ala.org/offices/ola ALA Office for Library Advocacy]: The Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) supports the efforts of advocates seeking to improve libraries of all types by developing resources, a peer-to-peer advocacy network, and training for advocates at the local, state and national level.

*[http://www.imls.gov/about/building_digital_communities.aspx Building Digital Communities] (two good documents from IMLS to share with library directors & local officials about the importance of broadband access and libraries as key institutions that provide Internet access)

*[http://wikis.ala.org/readwriteconnect/index.php/AASL/ALSC/YALSA_School/Public_Library_Cooperation Collaborative Efforts Between School & Public Libraries] (information compiled by the ALA Interdivisional Committee on School & Public Library Cooperation)

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*[[District Days]] Information as to what district days are and how they can help in advocating with your elected officials.

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*[http://www.dfer.org/CO_Case_Study.pdf Creating a Winning Legislative Campaign] (.pdf document. This is a case study and how-to guide to legislative advocacy. There is also a two-page check list that goes with this 47 page one at [http://www.dfer.org/Check-List.pdf Advocacy Checklist]

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*[http://sparkaction.org/content/featured-content-do-it-yourself-democracy- Do It Yourself Democracy] Great tips on how to take action.

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*[[District Days]]

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*[http://icma.org/en/icma/knowledge_network/documents/kn/Document/302161/Maximize_the_Potential_of_Your_Public_Library Maximize the Potential of Your Library] Share this free download from the International City/County Management Association with your elected officials.

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*[http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/getinvolved/districtdays_web.pdf District Days brochures] Use these brochures to demonstrate the importance of library services to teens to elected officials and other stakeholders

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*[[National Library Legislative Day]] Information as to what National Library Legislative Day is and how it can help you advocate.

*[http://blogs.slj.com/make-some-noise/ Make Some Noise] (advocacy-focused blog from School Library Journal)

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==How Libraries Help==

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*[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=117551670433142326244.000482bb91ce51be5802b Map of Eliminated School Librarian Positions] (created March 2010)

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*[http://www.ala.org/additup Add It Up: Libraries Make the Difference] Research and statistics to help advocates make the case for libraries at every stage of youth development and education (from ALA).

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*[http://icma.org/en/icma/knowledge_network/documents/kn/Document/302161/Maximize_the_Potential_of_Your_Public_Library Maximize the Potential of Your Library] (share this free download from the International City/County Management Association with your elected officials)

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8q4OohZHs4 How Have Libraries Affected You Personally?] A brief video featuring library patrons talking about how libraries help them

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*[http://www.cashadvance-loans.net/ Magnum cash advance]

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*[http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/Teens.pdf How Library Programs Benefit Teens] (.pdf) A Fact Sheet on how libraries benefit teens via the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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*[[National Library Legislative Day]]

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*[http://all4ed.org/reports-factsheets/leading-in-and-beyond-the-library/ Leading in & Beyond the Library] Published in 2014 this report emphasizes the important role school librarians play in student success.

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*[http://www.oclc.org/advocacy/default.htm OCLC's advocacy web site]

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*[http://ebookfriendly.com/libraries-matter-library-infographics/ Libraries Matter Infographics] Inforgraphic resource describing how libraries and librarians help and why they are important.

*[http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/OpportunityForAll.pdf Opportunity for All] A 2010 study from IMLS with data about teen library use.

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*[http://vimeo.com/38451798 Out of School Time video] (7 min. video from Hennepin County Library System that articulates the value of libraries as places for youth to experience formal & informal learning opportunities beyond school hours)

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*[http://vimeo.com/38451798 Out of School Time video]: 7 minute video from Hennepin County Library System that articulates the value of libraries as places for youth to experience formal and informal learning opportunities outside of school hours.

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/advocacy_final.pdf Speaking Up for Library Services to Teens: A Guide to Advocacy] by YALSA (PDF). You can also use the [http://yalsa.ala.org/presentations/AdvocacyWorkbook.pdf YA Advocacy Action Plan Workbook] as you plan advocacy programs at your library. Please feel free to print and distribute to coworkers and colleagues.

*[http://tinyurl.com/OLAactionkit Stand Up and Speak Out for Libraries Action Kit]

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*[http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/Infographic2_FINAL.pdf What Public Libraries do for Teens] Infographic from YALSA.

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*[http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaadvocacy/turningthepage/index.cfm Turning the Page] (free to ALA members: online learning modules to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding)

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==Online Learning Tools==

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*[[Using District Days and Other Events to Advocate for Teens & Libraries]] (presentation given at the 2010 ALA Conference)

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*[https://my.nicheacademy.com/everylibrary/course/1665 10 Strategies for Community Organizing]

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*[http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/onlinecourses/index.cfm Webinars on Advocacy], free from the ALA Washington Office

*[http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l YA Advocacy Email Discussion List] This open email discussion list is for anyone who wants to discuss advocacy issues and teen library services. To learn about the list and/or to subscribe, visit: [http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l]. Once an individual has subscribed to the list, he/she can send messages to yadvocacy-l@ala.org. The list is meant to be a resource for individuals interested in advocacy related issues in library services to teens, including librarians and other library staff, trustees, educators, community advocates and more. Subscribers are encouraged to share news and information, exchange resources and best practices, explore solutions to problems and network with one another to strengthen their advocacy efforts and affect positive change.

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*[http://www.ala.org/pla/education/turningthepage Turning the Page] Free to ALA members, online learning modules to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding.

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R_u455AOAU&feature=youtu.be Spark videos] Help teens learn about & get involved in local, state & national governance via these fab videos from the Harry Potter Alliance.

*[http://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines YALSA's National Guidelines and Position Papers]: YALSA is your source for national guidelines, competencies, position papers, and benchmarks to aid librarians, library workers and libraries in better understanding the components of an excellent teen services program.

ALA Office for Library Advocacy: The Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) supports the efforts of advocates seeking to improve libraries of all types by developing resources, a peer-to-peer advocacy network, and training for advocates at the local, state and national level.

Out of School Time video: 7 minute video from Hennepin County Library System that articulates the value of libraries as places for youth to experience formal and informal learning opportunities outside of school hours.

Online Learning Tools

Turning the Page Free to ALA members, online learning modules to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding.

Other Resources

YALSA's National Guidelines and Position Papers: YALSA is your source for national guidelines, competencies, position papers, and benchmarks to aid librarians, library workers and libraries in better understanding the components of an excellent teen services program.